Costa Rica
How long you can stay, how long your vehicle can, and what your dog or cat needs to cross. Every rule links to the official source.
- Last checked 28 Sep 2026
Your rules for Costa Rica
You · American passport
Usually up to 180 days
Visa-free for short stays. Keep inside the limit and you don't need a visa.
costaricanembassy.uk · Official source · Checked 27 Sep 2026
Your vehicle · United States plates
As long as you can stay, up to 90 days
A foreign-plated vehicle can stay as long as its driver is allowed to. When your days run out, so do its.
hacienda.go.cr · Official source · Checked 27 Sep 2026
Your dog or cat
Start at least 7 days out
Costa Rica needs a microchip, current rabies and core vaccines, deworming within 15 days and an official certificate with an exam within 2 weeks. See the steps
mag.go.cr · Official source · Checked 28 Sep 2026
Watch Costa Rica.
We'll email you if Costa Rica's rules change for your American passport, United States plates or your pet. That's the only email you'll get.
What your pet needs to cross into Costa Rica.
Do these in order. Miss one and your pet can be held at the border.
- Before you go
Microchip
Microchip required; the number must be on the official certificate.
- Before you go
Rabies vaccination
Required for pets over 3 months; must be current on arrival (date, brand, lot, expiry on certificate).
- Before you go
Core vaccines
Dogs: distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis. Cats: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia. Must be current on arrival.
- Still valid the day you arrive
Rabies vaccine still valid on arrival
Your pet's rabies vaccine must still be valid on the day you cross. Check the 'valid until' date on the vaccination record and book a booster before it runs out.
- Within 15 days before you arrive
Internal and external parasite treatment
Dewormed against internal and external parasites within the 15 days before arrival.
- Within 14 days before you arrive
Clinical exam
Clinical exam by a vet in the origin country within the two weeks before travel.
- Within 14 days before you arrive
Official health certificate
Official health certificate issued by the competent animal health authority of the origin country.
- At the border
SENASA check at the border (PIF)
Present pet and papers at the SENASA office at the border inspection post. Non-compliant pets are refused and returned.
mag.go.cr · Official source · Checked 28 Sep 2026. The app works these dates backward from your travel day and reminds you.
Every passport in Costa Rica
| Passport | Entry | How long | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States (yours) | Visa-free | Usually up to 180 days | costaricanembassy.uk · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Argentina | Visa-free | Usually up to 180 days | costaricanembassy.uk · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Australia | Visa-free | Usually up to 180 days | costaricanembassy.uk · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Austria | Visa-free | Usually up to 180 days | costaricanembassy.uk · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Belgium | Visa-free | Usually up to 180 days | costaricanembassy.uk · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Brazil | Visa-free | Usually up to 180 days | costaricanembassy.uk · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Bulgaria | Visa-free | Usually up to 180 days | costaricanembassy.uk · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Canada | Visa-free | Usually up to 180 days | costaricanembassy.uk · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
Every registration in Costa Rica
| Registered in | Entry | How long | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States (yours) | Temporary import | As long as the driver can stay, up to 90 days | hacienda.go.cr · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Argentina | Temporary import | As long as the driver can stay, up to 90 days | hacienda.go.cr · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Australia | Temporary import | As long as the driver can stay, up to 90 days | hacienda.go.cr · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Austria | Temporary import | As long as the driver can stay, up to 90 days | hacienda.go.cr · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Belgium | Temporary import | As long as the driver can stay, up to 90 days | hacienda.go.cr · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Brazil | Temporary import | As long as the driver can stay, up to 90 days | hacienda.go.cr · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Bulgaria | Temporary import | As long as the driver can stay, up to 90 days | hacienda.go.cr · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Canada | Temporary import | As long as the driver can stay, up to 90 days | hacienda.go.cr · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
A plain-language summary of the official rules, checked on the date shown. It isn't legal advice, and the officer at the desk always has the final word.
Planning a Costa Rica leg?
We'll count it for you.
BorderRunner turns these rules into your exact exit date, for you, your vehicle and your dog, and reminds you well before it's close. The first week is on us.
